With both teams looking for promotion this year, this was a big game for the two sides.
Brightman was captain and the U14Bs started brightly, producing some short slick passing. However, a ball over the top troubled the Brockham defence, Heron's pacy striker lobbed keeper Hern and Brockham were one down within the first minute of the game. In the next five minutes, Brockham continued to look shaky but on-form Owen took on three defenders and crossed to Mackrell for an easy tap in.
After this, the Badgers began to put pressure on the Heron defence and a great cross from Knowles gave Robins a chance and he gladly took it, finishing into the bottom left hand corner. However, Heron were not beaten yet and started to apply pressure of their own - but Thomas and Moorcroft in central defence looked strong and nothing got past them.
A great pass from Parker then put Knowles through and he finished coolly with the outside of his foot. Towards the end of the first half, a superb ball from Goddard put Bangs through, but he volleyed into the keeper's arms; and a good run from Parker produced a chance which was denied by the keeper.
At the beginning of the second half, Heron seemed determined to get back into the game and lots of shots were superbly saved by keeper Hern in an outstanding performance. With twenty minutes to go, Brockham were not yet safe; it looked like the game would be over when Brightman put the ball in the net from a corner – but he was called offside.
Outnumbered by three to one, Sourris did superbly well to put in a tackle and stop a second goal for Heron. And with Mansfield on the left, taking on the Heron right back, it looked like the game was beginning to slip from their reach.
With two minutes to go, a Heron forward was put through on goal. However a sublime save from Hern prevented the goal, impressing the watching U14A team coach! The final whistle went, signalling a third consecutive victory for the Badgers' U14Bs.
Man of the Match: Knowles.
Squad: Hern, Goddard, Moorcroft, Thomas, Bangs, Sourris, Brightman, Parker, Knowles, Owen, Robins, Mackrell, Mansfield.
The U11As
maintained their 100% record, as well as their place lead at the top
of Epsom and Ewell League Division 1, with a hard-earned 2–0 home
victory over Roundshaw Colts A. This proved their toughest encounter
so far, with possession difficult to monopolise and less room in midfield
to develop their normal expansive game.
However, it took Badgers
only nine minutes to open the scoring with the goal of the season
so far. Matt Higgins played a long free kick into the box which Bertie
Edwards-Hedges, on his weaker right foot, met perfectly on the half-volley
to dispatch high into the net. The rest of the half was an even affair;
Brockham created more chances, but keeper Matthew Batts was called
upon to collect a couple of useful shots and made good use of his
area.
The second period saw Brockham straining to extend their
lead, but the Roundshaw midfield prevented a lot of supply to the
wings, and the Badgers were often forced to play through the middle.
However, George Coffey proved an excellent link between midfield and
attack, holding play up well and creating some good openings - but
these generally broke down around the edge of the box or resulted
in corners that were squandered. The Roundshaw keeper was on good
form, his vocal commands in particular a good lesson to all the boys.
The nail-biting was finally curtailed a minute from time when
Coffey sealed his Man of the Match performance, and the victory, with
a fine solo goal.
Man of the Match: George Coffey
Squad:Matthew Batts, Will Mahoney, Alex Nicholson, Matt Higgins, Oli Winter,
Harry Morland, Josh Brown, Bertie Edwards-Hedges, George Coffey, Angus
Hodge, William Bletso, Dan Hetzel, Liam Ratcliffe.
The U11Bs started in a very positive manner with a slightly modified attacking formation of Axel Davies and DJ Hall up front. Brockham were attacking in wave after wave and the Roundshaws goalmouth was under constant bombardment. Excellent defence and some fine Colts goalkeeping kept the score equal until Davies smashed a half volley from just outside the area into the net.
Spirited attacks from the Colts resulted in a fine breakaway goal. A substitution brought Dan Batey his first Badgers goal of the season; another cracking strike from outside the area. The Colts hit the accelerator and fought hard for an equalizer but it did not come.
In the second half, with the single goal margin, we saw end to end football with some fine goalkeeping, midfield play and defence at both ends. In the final minute of the game Tim Hines slotted home the Badgers' third goal.
It was a game of
tremendous sportsmanship from boys and supporters and until the third
goal this Cup game could have gone either way. All the Badgers squad
played their part in this win but the Badgers' lad of the match was
Michael Ellis for his goalie performance that enabled the Brockham
to walk away as winners. Well done both teams for a great game.
In line with the form book, Brockham started the brighter and took an early lead through an Ellis goal.
However, Heron Olympic continued to battle well and did not allow the Badgers much time on the ball. Brockham were somewhat below par and playing without their normal discipline, whilst Heron remained focused - and their persistence paid off when they scored with a long-range effort into the top left-hand corner of the goal.
Both sides had chances in the second half,
with Brockham having the greater number but never quite able to find
the net - only the post or the keeper’s legs!
Squad: Walker,
Hunt, Mizzi, Spooner, Merritt, Purcell, Jarrett, Shaw©, Miller, Ellis,
Pellman, Tomkins, Wood, Woodcock.
Brockham were up against a very good, organised team who passed the ball well, so it was always going to be a difficult match. That said, the scoreline would have been closer were it not for a mad ten minutes midway through the first half when five goals were conceded.
Six - nil down at half time, Brockham came out in the second half more determined and certainly the tackles were more committed but, in reality, the Wimbledon keeper was never really tested and most of the play was in the Brockham half.
As normal,
there were good games again from Kate Walker, Tilly Leney and
Alice Beadle, but also a much improved performance from Emilly Walker.
Team: Ellie Rowlands, Emilly Walker, Alice Beadle, Kate Walker,
Tilly Leney, Ella Mothee, Jenny Sourris, Claire Weatherston.
Badgers, still celebrating, were caught off guard by the Saints, who pushed numbers forward and managed a shot on goal, but this was saved comfortably by Cameron Wallis.
Nathan Hughes, clearly hungry for more, watched his shot from outside of the area hit the cross-bar and Brockham continued to pressure Saints, keeping them pegged back in their half of the pitch. Ashley Marshall pickup a lose ball at the half-way line and hit a shot on target, but the Saints keep caught it comfortably. Eventually, some good interplay with Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood and Nathan Hughes down the left wing opened up Saints' defence and allowed Nathan to get his second goal.
Badgers continued in the second half with good passing football and numerous attacks. Pushing numbers forward, good interplay between George Gomes, Ali Masson and Nathan Hughes allowed Lewis Wood to place a shot - but it was just wide. Another attack, started by Ashley Marshall, allowed Nathan Hughes to register his hatrick and the Badgers looked to be on their way to their first win. Changes were made to shore up the score line, with Archie Knight and George Fenwick replacing Luc Jhugroo and Nathan Hughes.
The final whistle was blown; a great result with a hatrick, clean sheet and three points.
Squad: Cameron Wallis, George Gomes, Nathan Hughes, Archie Knight, Luc Jhugroo, Lewis Wood, Ashley Marshall(c), Alistair Masson, George Fenwick
Player of the Week: Nathan Hughes - the hatrick hero of course!!
